Window Onto Nature's World

WINDOW ONTO NATURE'S WORLD

IDENTIFYING THE AVENUES TO "PROTECT" THE ENVIRONMENT

The recent incidents of property destruction throughout Natal, due to Rioting, Looting, and uncontrolled violence, with Arson, are totally contrary to essential "Conservation".

We are aware of the term "Conservation", the need to tend and look after our homes and gardens, shops and office, and urban infrastructure, together with our rural environment, with agricultural cultivation to bring us food and nourishment. A "Conservation" status is often applied to areas of significance such as our amazing National Parks, Nature Reserves, and "Open Space" leisure areas within the Built Environment. For each and every instance the Management identifies the CARE and a range of regulations to afford "Protection".

It is evident that we are now within an era when the term "Protection" is of paramount importance. With the recent unrest Protection of our COMMUNITIES has become a priority. For our Natural Environment there are already specific criteria. For example, DAFF records a List of "Protected" trees which may not be cut down or mutilated. It is a finable offence to destroy or remove one of these listed Trees. Similarly, many years ago the "D'MOSS" areas were identified by the Founding members who recognized significant Eco Systems such as "Grasslands", and "Swamp Forests", which often contained RARE or listed species of conservation significance. In each and every instance there are Management criteria to be observed and laid-down Regulations with necessary constraints and restrictions to ensure on-going "Protection".

The Regulations may stipulate "No collection of plants", "No dumping", "No Fires", "No Hunting", "No Vehicles" and "No dogs". This is with good reason because the "Protection" is meaningless without compliance. Humanity is often unreliable regarding the necessary levels of "Protection" Fines are a sound route to punish offenders. Certain Conservation groups elect tasks in Community Service for offenders, with no remuneration.

The Fire, which demolished the Cornubia Shopping Center on the Umhlanga Ridge, has caused a new threat to our Natural Environment in the Umhlanga Lagoon and surrounding beaches. From the incineration of the stored pesticides, fertilizers and chemicals it appears that a toxic cocktail of effluent has now killed all forms of life in its path, and has no doubt left residual toxins in the sandy beaches, which may take years to disperse. Due to the natural off-shore winds, the harmful effluent may impact the shoreline at random and leave residual toxins in the public beaches. Closure of these areas is inevitable while laboratory tests may be conducted to assess the extent and levels of harmful contamination. No visitors allowed until further notice. - another sad reflection to our Tourist Trade. The Scientists, and Private Sector professionals and linked organizations should now ensure that at all aspects of ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION are placed under Review, with a governing, and independent Association formed to prevent repetition of this disgraceful catastrophe.